More On Charles N'Zogbia, Stephen Ireland, and Alex McLeish
by Kirsten Schlewitz on Feb 7, 2012 6:03 AM GMT
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Alex McLeish is either really stupid, or he thinks Aston Villa supporters are really stupid. Although Stephen Ireland clearly told his manager to "fuck off" after getting a lecture for being partially at fault for the first goal against Newcastle, McLeish denies that he ever heard those words coming from the midfielder's mouth. Hearing issue, Non-Sir? Possibly due to the roaring of disgruntled Villa fans ringing in your ears?
Anyway, Ireland supposedly has an ankle injury, which is why he was substituted at halftime. I don't recall seeing him limping, but maybe someone else noticed?
As for N'Zogbia, apparently no one knows yet if he'll be punished for his Twitter outburst. As noted before, the decision to remove the Frenchman in favor of Emile Heskey was a tactical one. I'm not sure which tactics McLeish was using, but yeah, in his mind it was tactical. But considering the manager doles out punishment the way Howard Webb awards penalties to Manchester United, there's no way N'Zogbia won't suffer from this.
Villa's manager might say that he doesn't bench players who are performing well because of something they've said or done, but I think we can all agree that the evidence is against him. If N'Zogbia plays against Manchester City on Sunday, I'll be very surprised.
But what do you guys think? Is it fair? Should players be punished for outbursts against the manager?
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i fear that mcleish has lost control of the dressing room
Villa 'til i die!
by jgrimse on Feb 7, 2012 6:27 AM GMT via iPhone app reply actions
I agree with you
The question is, should McLeish get the sack and Kevin MacDonald be given the job as manager?
I am just a bitter Wizards fan who clings to my bobbleheads and that 2005 playoff series victory!
by George Templeton on Feb 7, 2012 11:57 PM GMT up reply actions
I don't really have an issue with McLeish BSing about his reasons for pulling them, if that's the case.
I can understand a reluctance to make that kind of thing public. It’s his supposed reasons for pulling them that would be of greater concern to me.
by Aaron Campeau on Feb 7, 2012 7:53 AM GMT via mobile reply actions
I'd rather he field the strongest team possible, at all times
Honey, let’s just have a good time now, and we’ll fight in the car.
I agree with you here
A player would have to be one huge piece of shit to go out and tank a game in front of everyone at the stadium, his family and friends and every fan watching on TV.
Field the best team. To hell with this petty shit.
Contributor at HOCKEENIGHT and 7500 To Holte
by Andrew Cieslak on Feb 8, 2012 2:57 PM GMT up reply actions
Reading between the lines
McLeish did say something to the effect that the alleged ankle injury prevented Ireland from closing down opponents. That could be a veiled jab at the player while not completely airing him out in public. My sense is that this is not the first time something like this has happened and the manager wanted to send a message to the player without “losing him.” Is it that much of a stretch to think that Ireland would mentally check out again if he received what he felt was undue criticism?
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